Course Overview
Welcome to MAT 111 College Algebra! This course is designed
to give you the basic mathematics skills needed for success in future math
courses at UMaine and for many personal and professional situations as well. I
hope you find it useful and enjoyable. This course is worth 3 credits,
and they will count towards your bachelor's degree.
There is a lot of material in this course, and we have learned
that students vary greatly in what they need to learn and how difficult it is
for them to learn it. You may need just a quick refresher in some areas of the
curriculum, but you may need to learn totally new material in other areas. You
will need to take responsibility to put in extra time and/or get extra help on
areas of the curriculum which are hard for you. If you need extra help or have
any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions, please contact me as soon as
possible.
Also, please check out the Onward Math Lab at the times and
locations (TBA) above. Study groups usually work well in mathematics courses,
and you are encouraged to work on homework and to study with other students. In
addition, your text is supported by “MyMathLab (MML),” a web-based tutorial
package provided by the publisher, which includes video clips, diagnostics and
prescriptive practice exercises, tutoring, etc. The MyMathLab program is
required for this course.
I am looking forward to working with you this semester and hope
it will be a productive experience for you.
Text and Materials:
Intermediate Algebra for College Students (4th edition),
Robert Blitzer, Pearson/Prentiss Hall
MyMathLab (MML) from Pearson/Prentiss Hall. Student Standalone
ISBN: 013147894X
Prerequisites:
Onward Placement Test (or completion of ONM 012 with a C or
better)
MAT 111 Course Goals:
The two primary goals of MAT 111 are:
- to develop student's competency in Intermediate Algebra
- to develop student's study skills for success in mathematics courses
Specific Learning Objectives:
- Regarding the development of competence in Intermediate
Algebra, at the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Use the properties of integral exponents
- Identify a function using the vertical line test,
identify the range and domain of a function, find the value
of a function, graph a function using point-plotting,
slope-intercept and point-slope formulas
- Solve linear inequalities, compound inequalities, and
equations and inequalities involving absolute values
- Perform operations with polynomials; factor polynomials
using the greatest common factor and factoring by grouping,
factoring trinomials and the difference of two squares;
solving quadratic equations using factoring
- Evaluate rational functions and find their domain,
perform operations with rational expressions, simplify
complex rational expressions; solve rational equations
- Evaluate and simplify radical expressions, simplify
expressions with rational exponents, perform operations with
radical expressions, multiply radicals with more than one
term, rationalize denominators; solve radical equations
- Solve quadratic equations using the square root
property, completing the square, and the quadratic formula;
use the discriminant to determine the number and type of
solutions; recognize and graph quadratic functions and solve
problems involving maximizing and minimizing quadratic
functions; solve equations quadratic in form
- Change between logarithmic and exponential forms;
evaluate logarithms Regarding the development of study skills for success in mathematics
courses, at the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Regarding the development of study skills for success in
mathematics courses, at the end of this course, students
will be able to:
- Use computer-based textbook support materials,
specifically MyMathLab(MML)
- Complete homework assignments on a timely basis by
submitting MML problems on a class-by-class basis and
text-based homework at each test (includes checking
answers in the back of the book, using text and
classnotes as a resources.
- Use additional resources when needed, such as the
Onward Math Lab (peer led), meeting with professor,
classmates, etc.
- Work with classmates practicing new material in
class (involves teamwork, communicating in mathematics
and frequent, careful checking of answers)
- Prepare notes for exams (can bring these to first
two exams)
- Make test corrections after each exam
Course Requirements:
Homework (10% of your grade): Homework is an important part of this course.
Most
of you can expect to spend more time on homework than you spend in class! Since
mathematics involves learning techniques for solving problems, for most people
extensive practice is important. In short, you learn how to do mathematics by
doing it. Your homework grade will be based on Textbook and MyMathLab
assignments:
Text-Based Homework (5% of your grade): A set of assignments will be given out
at the beginning of the course. All assigned problems should be completed on the
date indicated, unless otherwise instructed by the professor. Homework will be
collected. At each exam, the homework for the chapters covered by that test will
be collected with the test. You will need to keep a notebook showing complete
solutions to these problems, not just answers. Make sure to label the section or
page numbers and problem numbers on the homework. I will not be correcting your
homework, however. You are expected to correct your own homework using the
answers in the back of the text and to ask for help if you do not understand how
to do a problem. If you need extra help, please stop in during office hours or
call me, or use the Onward Math Lab, work with your Peer Advisor or with other
students, use MyMathLab, solutions manuals, CD’s, or any other resources which
you find helpful. When requesting help, please have your notebook and work on
assignments present; it will help to me to understand your thought process so
far. At the end of this syllabus, you will find a rubric explaining the grading
criteria for Textbook-Based Homework.
MyMathLab Homework (5% of your grade): In addition, or each section of the text
we cover in class, you will be assigned some homework problems in the MyMathLab(MML) program. These will usually be
due one-half hour before the start of class. After this deadline, you will not be able to submit the homework, nor
will you be able to make it up. However, 5 of the assignments will be dropped.
These assignments are not quizzes; you are encouraged to get help, use all
resources, work with others, etc.
Exams (50% of your grade): You will be given
4 exams worth 100 points each.
These will account for 50% of your overall grade in this course. Dates for the
exams are listed on the homework assignment outline. Exams must be taken when
scheduled, except in case of illness or emergencies. “Not being ready” or
“needing more time to study” would not be excused absences. In the event of an
illness or emergency on the date of an exam, you must contact me as soon as
possible. If a make-up exam is appropriate, it needs to be taken as soon as
possible (usually your first day back). Make-up exams will generally be
scheduled in the afternoon or evening. Students will not be able to bring study
notes to make-up exams (see below). **Students who take a make-up exam without
an excused absence will have their grade for that test based on a maximum score
of 70.
Test Notes (first two exams only): When preparing for an exam, it is usually
helpful to make an outline or a “mind map” of the chapter(s) covered by the test. This could also include notes from class and sample problems done in class
and from the text. For the first two exams only, you will be allowed to use one
or two pages of your own handwritten study notes during the exam.
*Calculators cannot be used on any tests or quizzes or classwork.
Exam Corrections (5% of your grade): We usually do not have time to go over exam
questions in class, but you can learn a great deal from reviewing your tests as
soon as you get them back. To this end, you will be expected to review each exam
after you get it back and to write corrections for any questions you got wrong
on that exam. Corrections should be done on a separate sheet of paper and handed
in attached on top of the original exam. These Exam Corrections will count for
up to 10 points each if they are completely correct and will account for 5% of
your overall grade in this course. You will lose one point for each incorrect or
incomplete problem (up to a maximum of 10 points), but you may resubmit
corrections if you do lose any points until you get the full 10 points. I
encourage you to get help in making your Exam Corrections from me, the Onward
Math Lab, other students and any other resources you may have. If you do not do
the Exam Corrections, you will lose points towards your final grade in this
class—these corrections are not optional!
**BONUS: You can get a bonus 5 points on your exam if you hand in the Exam
Corrections within one week of the date the exam is returned to the whole class
and have all problems properly corrected. This will actually increase your exam
grade by 5 points.
Quizzes (10% of your grade): Quizzes will be given on * days, usually during the
last 10 minutes of class. Each quiz counts as 10 points and will account for 10%
of your overall grade in this course. Sometimes a quiz may be given to be
completed outside of class; in this case, that take-home quiz will be due at the
start of the very next class (unless otherwise indicated). Quizzes missed cannot
be made up. You will, however, be able to discard your two lowest quiz grades.
If a quiz is missed because of absence from class or a take-home quiz is not
returned at the beginning of the next class, it will be considered a grade of
zero and can be one of the “low” quizzes that are dropped.
Classwork (10% of your grade): These will be several opportunities to submit
graded classwork, which will account for 10% of your overall grade. This will
usually involve working in pairs, with each partner getting the same number of
points. You can get either 5, 3, 1 or 0 points each day. If you are absent, you
get a zero, and cannot make-up the points.
Final Exam (15% of your grade): The final exam will be
cumulative; it will cover
material from the entire course. The final will account for 20% of your overall
grade for this course. The final must be taken on the date scheduled.
Attendance: Regular attendance is required. (If you are not in class, you will
get a zero for any quizzes or graded classwork for that day.) Students who miss
a class are responsible for learning the material covered, any announcements,
assignments, notes, etc. Most people find it difficult to make up the work if
they miss two or more classes in a row. If you miss three classes during the
semester and it appears to impair the quality of your work, I may report this
fact to your Dean. If there are special circumstances that affect your
attendance, please discuss them with me in my office.
Disability Accommodations: If you have a disability for which you may be
requesting an accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible. You should
also contact Ann Smith, director of Disabilities Support Services (at 121 East
Annex—telephone number 581-2319) to appropriately document your needs at UM.
Grades:
Your overall grade for the semester will be determined as follows:
| Grading |
|
Exams |
4 @ 100 points |
50% |
| Exam Corrections
|
4 @ 10 pts. |
5%
|
| ***(+20 possible bonus points) |
|
Quizzes |
10 points each |
10% |
|
Graded Classwork |
5 pts. each |
10% |
|
Homework |
Textbook |
5% |
|
MML |
5% |
10% |
|
Final Exam |
|
15% |
|
Total |
|
100% |
|
Plus and minus grades will be used: |
|
A = 93 - 100 |
B- = 80 - 82 |
D+ = 67 - 69 |
|
A- = 90 - 92 |
C+ = 77 - 79 |
D = 63 - 66 |
|
B+ = 87 - 89 |
C = 73 -76 |
D- = 60 - 62 |
|
B = 83 - 86 |
C- = 70 - 72 |
E = below 60 |
Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism and all
forms of misrepresentation in academic work, and is unacceptable at The
University of Maine. As stated in The University of Maine’s “Student Handbook,”
plagiarism (the submission of another’s work without appropriate attribution)
and cheating are violations of The University of Maine Student conduct Code. An
instructor who has probable cause or reason to believe a student has cheated may
act upon such evidence, and should report the case to the supervising faculty
member or the Department Chair for appropriate action.
Homework Grading Criteria (Textbook)
Homework assigned in the text will count for 5% of your overall grade. It is due
on the day of the Exam which covers those new sections for the first time*.
Homework should be neat and organized (in the order in which it was assigned),
showing section and page numbers and problem numbers. The following criteria
will be used to determine grades:
√+ Homework is complete, correct, and clearly presented.
Work is shown, where appropriate. 100%
√ Homework is mostly complete, correct, and clearly presented.
Work is mostly shown, where appropriate. 85%
√– Homework is not complete, but what is handed in is correct,
and clearly presented, with work mostly shown, where appropriate; or homework has several sections where work is not shown or incorrect. 70%
√– – A significant amount of the homework is not submitted, but what
is handed in is correct, and clearly presented, with work mostly
shown, where appropriate; or homework has a significant number of sections where
work is not shown or incorrect 60%
0 No homework is submitted; or hardly any problems are done;
or problems show the answers only, with little or no work. 0%
*Late Homework: Homework received after the day of the test, will be reduced one
grade.
